A brief overview of the Chennai international airport, MAA

Chennai is a port city in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. earlier it was known as Madras. Chennai is an ancient and heritage city known for its beaches and authentic Tamil cuisine.

The airport that caters to the city’s needs and where Canada to Chennai flights land is the Chennai international airport, one of the most important airports in south India. It is the third busiest international airport in India after Delhi international and Mumbai international airports. The airport is ancient and is traditionally built but now has been modernized with the latest of the technologies and architecture. It is a treat to watch at the humongous building of the airport.

Chennai is a heritage city with remnants of old english architecture scattered around the corners of the city. Chennai’s architecture has a special place in history books and is truly the architecture is to die for.

Chennai international airport is located about 21 km southwest from the city center. The international codename for the Chennai international airport is MAA. the various and popular international routes that are connected to the Chennai international airport are those of Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Colombo, Muscat, Doha, Kuwait, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi. Chennai international airport is a focus city for Air India and Go Air.

General overview of the Chennai International Airport

Chennai international airport is also known as the Anna international airport and is one of the top four Airports of India according to a survey in 2019. Not only it serves the city of Chennai and its metropolitan area but also the people from nearby states use the services from this airport for their international travel.

Ground Transportation

If you have ever landed on Chennai international airport after your Canada to Chennai flights then you would know that you will have a lot of options to choose from. Chennai International airport is directly connected to the airport metro. It is in fact the best way to reach the city center from the airport. Airport has a designated free shuttle service that is connected to the metro station. Once you have reached the metro station then you are free to move to any of the corner of city through the vast grid of the railway system of the city. Chennai’s iconic metro blue line connects the Chennai airport with the neighboring areas such as Meenambakkam and Tirusulam. However, that is not the only option for connectivity. Passengers have the option to take a rickshaw or a taxi to reach the city center. This way is the fastest and cheapest way to reach the city center. Moreover, if you would like to self-drive a car then cheap car rental services and online cab booking services are available just outside the airport as well.

Chennai airport terminals

Chennai International airport has three different terminals

Terminal 1

This terminal is also known as the Kamaraj terminal and it is the airport’s domestic terminal. In this terminal there are two levels, ground level and the first level. The first level has three gates while the ground level has six distinct boarding gates. Terminal 1 caters only to domestic passengers and not international travelers.

Terminal 2

It is also known as Anna terminal and is located in the same complex as Kamaraj terminal. It was built in 1988 and links Chennai with more than 20 global destinations. The complex of terminal 2 looks after international arrivals including that of Canada to Chennai flights. It houses a total of 48 check-in counters. Like that of terminal 1, it too has two levels, one ground and one first. The ground level has six boarding gates and first level has three boarding gates.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is the newest of all the terminals. It was completed in the year 2017. Terminal 3 strangely is not named unlike its counterparts 1 and 2. Terminal 3 only caters to international departures to various cities around the world. There is a spectrum of services housed at Terminal 3 such as restaurants, cafes, ATMs, duty-free shops, medical and health scans, luggage carts, prayer rooms, kiosks for services for disabled passengers and conference rooms. Terminal 3 also has lounges, TFS travel club lounges, and air india’s maharaja lounge.

Chennai international airport flight departures

MAA departures are one of the significant part of your flight boarding. One should keep a track of their Chennai flight departure well before in time. Chennai airport departures comprise check-in, security check-in and boarding a flight. The whole process is quite cumbersome and takes a lot of time. But the departure lobby area has artistic aesthetics to showcase that engage the mind of the traveler so that he doesn’t feel boredom.

MAA flight arrivals

Another important part of the Chennai international airport is the arrivals section. The section offers to passenger baggage checks, car parking, food stations, etc. the section is beautifully designed keeping in mind the safety and comfort of the passengers in mind. The section is aesthetically pleasing and filled with artistic show pieces that are magnetic and look attractive.

Chennai international airport cool facts

• The secondary runway of the airport is built over a river. Yes, you read it right. The runway is built over the river Adyar. It is the only airport in the country to have that privilege.

• The domestic and international terminals of the airport share a wall and are attached to each other. It is the only airport in the country that has attached domestic and international terminals.

• You can have a sneak peek at the city’s architecture and lifestyle right at the airport as the walls of the airport are embellished with sculptures and posters depicting Tamilian art and architecture. It is a wonderful way to acquaint the travelers with city’s unique culture.

• In terms of cargo capacity that is shipped to and fro from the airport, the airport comes third in number after Delhi and Mumbai.

• With regard to international traffic, the airport comes at 49th place in Asia.

• Chennai international airport is on its way to history as it will be the only airport to have a satellite terminal in future.

• The airport serves as a hub for Air India, Alliance air, Indigo, blue dart aviation, Trujet, and Spicejet.

• Terminal 1 and 2 are named after the two ex-chief ministers of Tamil Nadu K Kamaraj and C annadurai

• It’s on the Chennai airport where the regional headquarters of the Airport Authority of India is located.

• The airport bagged the first award for best infrastructure project of the year in 2014, such is the finesse of the architecture of the airport.

Airlines that fly to and fro from Chennai Airport

Air India, Silk air, Go Air, Sri Lankan airlines, Etihad Airways, Thai Airways, Spicejet, Indigo, Spicejet, Vistara, Alliance Air, Air India Express, Timbis Air, Air India Express are some of the airlines that ply to and fro from the airport.

FAQs

• Where exactly is Chennai international airport located

The Chennai international airport is located on the southern grand trunk road Meenambakkam in Chennai.

• How many terminals are there at Chennai airport?

There are a total of three terminals at the Chennai airport. Terminal 1 caters to domestic while terminal 2 and 3 caters to international traffic.

• How many airports are there in Chennai?

There are a total of three airports in Chennai, one is Chennai international airport. The other two are respectively controlled by the Indian Air Force and the Air arm of the Indian Navy.